Designed as a quick-focusing macro lens the AF speed of 50mm, f2.8 EX Macro is 1.4 times faster than previous 50mm f2.8 macros. It features a non-rotating front lens group which makes it easier to work with polarizing filters and has a focus limiter (eg. Full Range; - 9.8 in.; 9.1 in. - 7.4 in.). The Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX Macro lens also features the new deluxe EX external finish.

I have had this lens for 7 months now and I love it! It is very sharp, and the colors are fantastic. I use this lens as my "walk around" lens. It rarely leaves my camera. To see what this lens can do for macro photography, take a look at the pictures posted to my web gallery at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/gallery.asp?memberID=125176
This picture captured first place in the macro category in BetterPhoto's January, 2006 monthly contest:
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/big.asp?photoID=1618768&catID=&style=&rowNumber=84&memberID=125176

Cons:

To acheive 1:1 macros you must be about 2 inches from the subject. This can be difficult if you want to shoot insects. Also, the lens "hunts" in low light conditions.

For those looking for an economical macro lens that will give you outstanding 1:1 shots, and will also serve as a good "walk around" lens, look no longer - this is the lens for you!

Good build, super sharp, great color and contrast. Accurate focusing. Optimized coatings, no vignetting, and good CA.
(DG Version)

Cons:

Extends quite a ways when focusing. Not blazing fast at focusing, either (use the focus limiter! It helps). Would like USM and would REALLY like full time manual focus. The non-dg version may not work with the 20d (depends on the year). I had to return a non-DG and get the DG.

As previously stated, I'm using the DG variant.

Some of the non-dg versions work with the 20d/10d/etc, but some won't. The used version I got wouldn't, so I returned it for the DG.

The color, contrast, and sharpness of this lens are second to none. It is best of any 35mm lens I own, or have owned (100mm F2.0 was previously the nicest). We plan to start using this lens some in the studio. I've already taken it on location for weddings, and it performed admirably for detail shots.

It is a macro, and like all macros, it doesn't focus very fast. Use the limiter switch, and you'll see a great improvement. The extending barrel is a bit annoying for macro, but not overly. I do wish it had a full time manual focus ring.

Overall: Great lens! Best picture quality of any lens I own.

Apr 18, 2006

Lars JohnssonOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Jun 29, 2003Location: ThailandPosts: 33656

Review Date: Mar 9, 2006

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $270.00
| Rating: 8

Pros:

Sharp, 1:1 life size macro, cheap price, nice finish

Cons:

lens barrel extends a lot

I bought the EX DG version after using the non-DG for a week. But I can't really see any diference in image quality.
It's a sharp lens for a very good price

Mar 9, 2006

KLH2OfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Dec 17, 2005Location: United StatesPosts: 18

Review Date: Dec 17, 2005

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $230.00
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Very sharp Lens. For the price, I would say outstanding. Well built.

Cons:

Don't care for the finish.

I think that this lens is outstanding for the price and works well with the Canon Digital Rebel XT. The Focus is a little noisy but not all that bad. Do not have hunting problems with it at least.

It is sharper than the Canon 50MM lens and the color saturation is very good.

Working distance, slow AF (though that doesn't really matter on a macro lens).

I got this lens from someone on this site, and although I've only had it for a week and a half, I really love it. It is by far the sharpest lens I have, and it's a very good deal for the price. I don't shoot insects so I don't really mind the short working distance, but if you do, then you may want to go for something longer, like the 105mm. The screw-in hood makes using a polarizer easy, but it also means that it can't be attached backwards while not in use. Not really a big deal.
In short, I'm really impressed by this. If anything, this is a far better choice than the EF 50mm f/2.5 compact macro because this does 1:1 for a lower cost, and it's EXCELLENT. Truly worthy of the EX badge.

It's hard to describe how impressed I am with this lens. If Sigma charged $500, I'd still be happy with it, but at less than $200 (new lens purchased from an eBay dealer), I'm ecstatic. I'm using this lens on my 10D and it's not only a great macro lens, but also a nice "walking around" lens for landscapes and portraits, too. I guess I'm most impressed by the ease with which I can manipulate the depth of field on my shots, and the resultant bokeh is the smoothest I've ever seen. The background colors just seem to melt into one another seamlessly, absent the slightest hints of ghosting or graininess. Focus is noisier than Canon's USM, but not bad, and it's just about as quick on my 10D. For 1:1 macro's manual focus is the way to go, anyway. My only worry is that the "fuzzy" finish Sigma uses on it's lenses might not be as durable as the smooth paint Canon has on its lenses. I also appreciate that the lens is very well-made, compact, and lightweight. Comes with a lens hood, too, but not a bag or case for the lens.

I always shoot in RAW, and I find myself leaving many (sometimes all) of the pictures nearly untouched in post processing, other than the conversion from RAW to JPEG. The colors and contrast are that good. Many times just a touch of CS2's USM is required, but much less than I'm used to.

I bought this lens based on the other reviews here, and also because I am so happy Sigma's 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG I recently purchased. These are the first non-Canon lenses I've owned, and I'll be happy to try Sigma lenses again in the future.

I think this lens is fantastic! 2.8 aperture with the wonderful bokeh combined with APS-C sized sensor digital bodies makes it a nice portrait lens. It's a great walk-around lens also. The one I've been using is my uncle's but this baby is the first thing on my have to have-list, and I'll get it as soon as I get the money. I can't think anything bad about it.

No radical post-processing in any of the above shots, just basic resizing and a little unsharp mask. teraevae.jpg (sharp.jpg) is a bit unsuccesful due to camera movement just before taking the shot (the tip of the screw isn't sharp).

Oct 29, 2005

PaulRobinOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Oct 20, 2005Location: SwitzerlandPosts: 0

Review Date: Oct 20, 2005

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9

Pros:

Super net and contrasted, one of the best

Cons:

Oct 20, 2005

ToxicBugOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Dec 17, 2004Location: CanadaPosts: 36

Review Date: Jul 30, 2005

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $190.00
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Extremely sharp, even wide open. Great optical quality, great colors, awesome bokeh. One of the sharpest lenses ever. Nice EX finish, feels like a real piece of good glass.

Cons:

The autofocus is slow and noisy. Not enough working distance for some serious macro work.

I've bought this lens because I needed a 50mm and wanted to try out macro photography, but didn't have money for lens especially made for macro. Now I use it as my main lens since its optical quality is amazing and everything can be shot with it, except for sports. It has a metal mount and is built very well. The optical quality and versatility is what this lens is all about.

Jul 30, 2005

adydulaOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Jun 13, 2003Location: N/APosts: 196

Review Date: Jun 24, 2005

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $239.95
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Price, price, price
Comes with a hood!
Good build quality...

Cons:

Working distance....
Bokeh is nice
Useable autofocus on 20D, very useable...

I was stunned at how great pictures are coming from this lens combination and my Canon 20D.

Autofocus is very useable and manual focus is easy to us as well.

This lens is sharp, contrasty and color is very, very good..the vibrant flower macros of deeply saturated purples and oranges etc look very much like the origninal in a calibrated screen.

Easily hand held on a bright day down to 1/30 and 1/60 for me...even better on a tripod etc...

Wondeful bokeh and easily blurs the background....

I hesitated for long time to by a non-Canon lens and this was a birthday 'lark' that turned into a 'swan'!!

I got the DG verision...I actully ordered the non-dg version but 17th street photo sent me a DG version...ok with me works just fine!

A.

Jun 24, 2005

isawuonmontelOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Jun 14, 2005Location: United StatesPosts: 6

Review Date: Jun 14, 2005

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9

Pros:

the EX finish, free metal lens hood, inexpensive, macro thrown in for fun, and this is a photodo 4.2 rated lens

Cons:

ok, this baby will hunt, use the limit switch, helps a lot, kinda big for a 50mm

this is the first lens that i picked based on reviews i saw on the net and i now recomend that everyone read before you buy. since i got this one a couple of old softies have gone bye-bye. reliability has been great, although with that black finnish i am worried whenever i get into really hot and sunny weather, a lens left in a car for example can cause the lubricant in the lens body to leak onto the lens surface ( totaling the lens ) the secriet to white lenses revealed. the glass seems top notch, i am now spoiled with being able to blow up to 12x18 most of the time.
no rechiping needed on my elan 7e, f4 to 11 best,

Jun 14, 2005

joeleOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Apr 2, 2005Location: AustraliaPosts: 0

Review Date: Apr 25, 2005

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Smooth creamy bokeh, great colour and contrast, very sharp even wide open once stopped down it is amazing, fantastic value for money

Cons:

Does extend a bit too far when 1:1

nice ;-)

Apr 25, 2005

Geert SoenensOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Jul 25, 2003Location: BelgiumPosts: 76

Review Date: Apr 7, 2005

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9

Pros:

Nicely build, cheap and razer sharp between f5,6 & f16.

Cons:

Non.

The first lens from Sigma i ever bought! (Was a bit afraid actually). I am using Canon and Leica glass. Owned the Canon macro EF 100mm f2,8 USM. (I sold it because macro is not really my thing and i have lots off other Canon glass). I own Leica elmarit macro 60mm f2,8 wich i use on my Canon digital body's with adapter from Novoflex. (Not any more)! My Leica glass is not giving me better pictures then this Sigma. I really was suprised with the quality of this lightweight. Don't be afraid to buy it! Very nice lens!

I've owned the canon 50mm macro, 100mm macro and now this one. While I no longer own the other two to compare side by side, I generally found the canon 50mm's 1:2 range not quite enough, and the 100mm was to prone to camera shake without a tripod at anything approaching a macro range, so this lens is a perfect fit for one who likes, but is not overly serious about macro photography.

For general use it's also quite impressive if you like the focal length. Sharp sharp sharp, with excellent color and contrast to boot. Considering it's only $220, don't hold back.